THE CHINESE HAVE BECOME MASTERS OF DECEIPT IN THAT THEY ATTEMPT TO SELL FAKE COPIES OF ANTIQUITIES, BEADS, AND STONES AS THE REAL THING.  THEY HAVE ALSO BECOME MASTERS AT LYING AND ATTEMPTING TO CHEAT BUYERS BY STARTING AUCTIONS AT LOW OPENING BIDS AND STICKING IT TO YOU WITH  OUTLANDISH SHIPPING CHARGES.

BE CAUTIOUS!

YES THERE ARE SOME HONEST CHINESE SELLERS, BUT MOST ARE CHARLATONS.  YOU WILL FIND THEM SELLING IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES, ESPECIALLY BRITISH POUNDS. 

FOR THE MOST PART THEY SELL JUNK, WITH LITTLE OR NO VALUE.  I RECENTLY RECEIVED WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ANTIQUE AMBER SNUFF BOTTLE AND TURQUOISE SNUFF BOTTLE.  THEY ARE BOTH MADE OF WHO KNOWS WHAT BUT DEFINITELY NOT TURQUOISE OR AMBER.  IT IS GARBAGE.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND STAYING AWAY FROM THESE 21ST CENTURY SNAKE OIL SALESMEN.  DON'T BELIEVE THE STORIES ABOUT THE OLD FAMILY BUSINESS.  THE RARITY OF A NEWLY CARVED ANTIQUE JADE CARVING, OR THE IVORY THAT IS ACTUALLY BONE. 

AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE...OR YOU WILL BE SICK FROM THE CRAP YOU WILL RECEIVE.